Switch-operating mechanism



Nov. 20, 1928. 1,692,045

v A. F. C. LOTZ SWITCH OPERATING MECHANI SM Filed May 1, 1924 6 Sheets-Sheet 1 Nov. 20, 1928. 1,692,045

A. F. C. LOTZ SWITCH OPERATING MECHANISM Filed May 1, 1924 6 Sheets-Sheet 2 Nov. 20, 1928. 1,692,045

A. F. c. LOTZ SWITCH OPERATING MECHANISM Filed May 1, 1924 6 Sheets-Sheet 3 Nov. 20; 1928.

1592;045- F. c. LOTZ SWITCH OPERATING MECHANISM Filed Ma}: 1, 1924 6 Sheets-Sheet '5 Nov. 20, 1928. V 1,692,045

A. F. c. LoTz SWITCH OPERATING MECHANISM Filed May 1, 1924 6 Sheets-Sheet 6 Patented Nov. 20, 1928.

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

ALFRED F. C. LOTZ, OF CHICAGO, ILLINOIS, ASSIGNOR TO ELECTRICAL ENGINEERS EQUIPMENT COMPANY, OF CHICAGO, ILLINOIS, A CORPORATION OF ILLINOIS.

SWITCH-OPERATING MECHANISM.

Application filed May 1,

type, although the invention is not limited thereto.

According to my invention, a rotary shaft is employed which, in the preferred form of the invention, is the operating shaft of the switch, and I provide, in conjunction with said shaft, means for automatically or manually tripping the switch open and for manually restoring the switch to closed position. The automatic trip is operable without interfering with the manual opening and closing mechanism. The automatic mechanism is automatically set in extended position by the movement of the manual parts upon being released, and the switch is closely manually through the automatic tripping mechanism with an accompanying automatic resetting of said mechanism with the manual closing movement, which also resets the manual operating parts.

The mechanism employed, according to my invention, is of simple, rugged and inexpensive construction. The operating mechanism is characterized by a minimum of inertia so that the oil switch may open with great rapidity, and in the closed position of the switch, it offers a very substantial resistance to opening and provides a great leverage through which a powerful closing movement is imparted. The strain upon the parts is low and long life and satisfactory operation are assured, and the operating parts are all supported independently of the enclosing casing so that proper alignment and positioning may be secured in spite of disalignment and inaccuracies in the casm In my co-pending application (Case 5), Serial No. 684,278, filed January 1, 1924, I have shown an oil switch employing a rocking or rotary shaft which is adapted to be operated by the present invention, but it will be understood that the present invention is not limited to the combination of that particular switch with the present mechanism, but is intended to cover the present mecha nism in combination with that type or any other type of switch which employs a rocking or rotary shaft.

To acquaint those skilled in the art with the manner of constructing and operating 1924. Serial No. 710,334

my invention, I shall now describe an embodiment of the same in connection with the accompanying drawings.

In the drawings:

Fig. 1 is an end elevationalview partially in section of a trip and reset mechanism embodying my invention showing the parts in set position;

Fig. 2 is a similar view showing the parts in the positions assumed upon the occurrenc of an automatic trip;

Fig. 3 is a similar view showing the parts in the positions assumed upon tripping the switch manually or upon lowering the operating member upon the occurrence of an automatic trip for the purpose of resetting the parts;

Fig. 1 is a vertical section taken on the line 14: of Fig. 1;

Fig. 5 is a Vertical section on line 5 -5 of Fig. 1;

Fig, 6 is a horizontal section on line 6-6 of Fig. 1; r

Fig. 7 is a horizontal section on line 77 of Fig. 1; 1

Fig. 8 is a vertical section on line 88 of Fig. 7;

Fig. 9 is a detail section on line 9-9 of Fig. 1;

Fig. 10 is a detailsection on line 10-10 of Fig. 1; v

Fig. 11 is a detail section on line 11-11 of Fig. 1;

Fig. 12 is a detail section on line 1212 of Fig. 1;

Fig. 13 is an isometric view of the toggle latch lever;

Fig. 14 is an isometric view of the lever for tripping the toggle latch lever and latching the operating lever; and

Fig. 15 is an isometric view of the clevis toggle link.

The square shaft 5 prolonged forms the shaft of the switch mechanism, such as disclosed in my above referred to co-pending application. Rocking of this shaft through substantially 15 serves to separate the contacts of the switch to the desired extent, and movement of the same in the reverse direction closes the contacts. Thus, by small rocking movement, the switch is completely opened or closed. The shaft 1 may have suitable stop means for limiting its rocking motion in each direction, or the stop means may be associated with the switch itself.

The spring which operates the shaft 5 is contained within the switch, as will be apparent from the drawings of said co-pending application, and it is not-shown in the pres ent drawings. The switch operating mechanism is housed within a casing comprising a removable cover or casing part 6 having a side or back 8 which forms a shaft bracket and has an integral bottom 7 The casing is shown mounted uponanexternal supporting channel 9, as by means of a bracket 10 formed integral with the back 8 and bolted or otherwise suitably secured to the channel 9. The back 8 may be secured in place by 1 bolts 12 cooperating with suitable lugs 13 on the casing.

I shall describe first the latch mechanism for holding the shaft 5 against rotation under the tension of the spring means in the switch, which spring means tends to rotate the shaft in a counterclockwise direction, as viewed in Figs. 1, 2 and 3.

Fixed on the shaft 5 to turn or rock therewith is a shaft lever 15. The lever 15 has formed integral therewith, as shown in Fig. 9, a sleeve or collar 16 which extends axially along the shaft 5 and has square openings through its opposite ends with which the square .shaft 5, extending'therethrough, cooperates to lock the shaft and lever 15 for rocking movement together. Loose on the collar or sleeve 16 of the lever 15 for free rotation thereabout is a collar or sleeve 18 having formed integral therewith a radial arm 20. The arm 20 is of honey-combed formation for a purpose which will hereinafter appear. Pivoted in the outer end of the arm 20, upon a pin 22, is a latch and toggle latch tripping lever 24;.

Lever 24 has at its inner end a detent 25 which normally engages a shoulder 26 on a latch arm 28 and holds the arm 20 in the position shown in Fig. 1. Arm 28 is pivoted at- 29 upon a pin secured in spaced lugs 30 projecting horizontally from a latch bracket 31, which bracket 31 is mounted in upright position upon the bottom of the casing,6. A coiled spring 32 interposed between the upper end of the bracket 31 and the upper end of the arm 28 on suitable aligning studs holds the upper end. of the arm projected fromthe bracket. The lower end-of the arm 28 projectsdownwardly at 34 for cooperation with an adjusting screw 35, by means of which the position of the latch shoulder at the upper end of the arm may be adjusted as desired.

The free end of the lever24t is turned out at 36 to lie in the path of downward movement of a stud or pin 37 on the operating bar '38, and formedon the under surface of this turned-outlend 36 is a nose 39. A coiled spring t0 interposed between an integral abutment 41 on arm 20 an abutment 42 on lever 24 on suitable reigning" studs tends to swing the lever 24in a counterclockwise direction and the detent 25 into latching engagement with shoulder 26.

The shaft 5 is restrained from turning under the action of the spring meansm the switch by means of a toggle comprising a toggle arm 14 pivoted at one end on the pin '22 andat its opposite end upon a pin 45 in the bifurcated end of a clevis toggle link 46, the opposite end of which link 16 is pivoted by a pin 47 to the free end of the shaft arm 15. Integral with the inner end of the toggle arm 46 is a lateral lug 50, and for the purpose of holding the toggle arms 44 and 16 in extended 180 position, as shown in Fig. 1, I provide a toggle latch and releasing lever 52. The lever 52 isloose on a ,pin 53 secured in the arm 20 and it extends through one side of the honey-combed formation of said arm, as shown in Figs. 5, 7 and 11. The upwardly extending arm 54 of the lever 52 is stepped or shouldered at 55 and this stepor shoulder 55 normally engages under the lug 50 and holds the toggle arms 14 and 46 in extended position. The upper end of the arm 54L terminates in a head inclined at 56 for cooperation with the nose 39 of lever 24 when the lever 24 is depressed. The lever 52 has integral, downwardly ext-ending curved arm 58 for the purpose of automatically tripping the toggle latch, as will hereinafter appear. Integral with the free end of arm 20 is a lateral projection 60 which overlies the lever 24 and arm 44.- and limits the turning of said lever and arm in a counterclockwise direction about pin 22.

From the foregoing, it is now apparent that opening of the switch under the action of the switch spring is normally opposed by thetoggle arms 14 and 46 and that said arms act in compression and are in a straight line and of maximum effectiveness at such time. The detent 25 holds the arm 20 and thereby the pivot end 22 of the toggle in the positions shown. Any tendency toward upward swinging of the shaft arm and of the link 16 under the action of the switch spring is prevented by the formation and position ing of the lug 50 and latch shoulder 55.

The main operating bar 38, which carries the operating pin or stud 37, extends down vertically through an opening in the bottom of the casing 6. It extends through the forward honeycombed side of arm 20 and has an elongated vertical solt 66 through which the enlarged portion of the pin 53 extends. A remote controlled operating lever, such as that shown in my co-pending application, Serial No. 673,465, filed N ovember 8, 1923, or any other suitable operating lever, may be provided for lowering and raising the operating bar 38.

Assume that the parts are in the position shown in Fig. 1 and that the switch is closed, -the switch may he opened manually by lowering or moving the bar 38 downwardly as by means of the operating handle and connected-parts (not shown). Upon downward movement of bar 38, slot 66 travels freely over pin 53 and the stud 37 is moved into engagement with the upper surface of the out-turned end 36 of lever 24. Further downwardanovement of the bar 38 swings the lever 24 in a clockwise direction about the pin 22. By reason of the relative lengths of the detent and releasing arms of lever 24, the detent 25 remains in engagement with shoulder 26until the nose 39 engages the inclined upper end 56 of the arm 54 and swings said arm in a counterclockwise direction to release the shoulder 55 from the toggle lug 50. The detent 25 thereupon disengages shoulder 26 and the arm 20, with its associated latch and trip mechanism, drops into the position shown in Fig. 3.

Immediately upon releasing shoulder 55 from lug 50, the toggle is free to break under its own weight and under the action of the switch spring and it drops and automatically straightens itself between pins 22 and 47 for the resetting operation.

Now, in order to reset; that is, close the switch after a manual tripping, the operating member 38 is moved upwardly through the operating mechanism. WVhen the lower end or the slot 66 reaches the pin 53, the free arm 20 is swung upwardly through this engagement. This upward movement acts from the pin 22 through the toggle arms 44 and 46, which have automatically straightened or set themselves to turn the shaft 5 through the shaft arm'15 in a clockwise direction against the tension of the switch spring. The straight condition of the arms 44 and 46 acting through the shaft arm 15 provides a relatively great leverage for moving the switch to closed position with a relatively small power application on the switch operating member. As soon as the reset position has been obtained, the detent 25 engages over the shoulder 26, the spring 32 permitting the arm 28 to yield sufliciently to permit the detent 25 to move into latched position. As the detent 25 holds its engagement with shoulder 26, the free arm 20 is held in the position shown in Fig. 1. As the arm 20 reaches this position, the toggle arms 44 and 46 reach their straight line position of Fig. 1 between the pins 22 and 47, and the shoulder 55 of the latch and trip lever 52 swings into engagement under lug 50 and holds the toggle which holds the switch closed in the position shown in Fig. 1. Consequently, the switch is closed and held closed by the toggle arms 44 and 46, and the toggle arms are held in the position holding the switch closed by the latch and release lever 52, rthe detent 25 holding the arm 20 and pin 22 in corresponding positions.

Upon closing the switch and setting the parts as described, the pin 37 assumes the position shown in Fig. 1 and the out-turned end 36 of lever 24 is positioned below said pin and in the path of downward movement thereof to be engaged and swung into co operation with the upper end of the arm 54 of lever 52, as previously described.

I shall now describe the automatic trip mechanism for tripping the shoulder 55 out of holding engagement with lug 50 to permit the toggle to break under its own weight and under the action of the switch spring so that the switch may be automatically opened, as is desired for overloads and the like.

The automatic tripping mechanism is mounted upon a shelf integral with and projecting horizontally inwardly from the back 8. The back 8 forms a shaft bracket having a boss 72 in which the shaft is journaled at one end of the casing. At the opposite end of the casing, the shaft 5 is journaled in a boss 73 on the cover or casing member 6, a bronze or other suitable bushing 73 being provided in boss 73 for the outer end of collar 16, as shown in Fig. 9.

, dependent upon the accuracy or condition of said cover.

The solenoid supporting frame 76 is of open formation, with ends 78 and a fiat top 79 having upright ribs 80. Mounted upon the top 79 of frame 76, by means of screws 82, are magnet yokes 83, and mounted in each yoke 83 is a magnet '85. Each magnet 85 has a fiber tube about which and betweenthe fiber heads is the winding 86. Operable in the lower end of the fiber sleeve is the movable core or plunger having adjustable operating stems 91 threaded into and depending therefrom. Threaded throughthe upper legs of the yokes 83 and extending down into the solenoids are plugs 92, which may form adjustable stops for limiting the action of the plungers 90.

The stems 91 extend down through slots 93 in a knock-off lever 94 shown more clearly in Fig. 6, and have heads 95 at their lower ends, which heads underlie the lever 94. The knock-01f lever 94 is pivoted at its opposite ends through integral lugs 96 and bolts 97 to the ends 78 of the solenoid sup porting frame, and said lever 94 has an integral arm 98 ofiset to underlie the downcurved arm 58 of the latch and trip lever 52.

The conductors for the solenoids may be led in through an opening 102 in back 8, said.

opening being threaded to receive suitable lnsulatlng bushing or the like.

The operation of the automatic tripping mechanism is a follows:

Assume that the parts are in the position shown in Fig. 1, the lever 52 holding the toggle extended and the detent 25 holding the free arm 20 inthe positions shown. Assume that the solenoids are energized as by the occurrence of an overload The plungers will be raised, raising the knock-off lever about its pivots 9'7 and thereby the offset arm 98 of the knock-off lever into engagement with the arm 58 of the toggle latch and release lever 52. The lever 52 is thereby swung in a counterclockwise direction about the pin 53 to release the latch shoulder 55 from the lug 50.- The toggle arms are immediately freed. to break, and under their own weight and the tension of the switch spring, they break downwardly into the dotted line positions of Fi g. 1 and permit the shaft 5 to rock in a counterclockwise direction with an accompanying opening of the switch.

It should be noted that automatic tripping is permitted without tripping or moving the free arm 20 or the latch and trip means as sociated therewith. The number and inertia of the moving parts upon automatic tripping of the switch is thereby maintained at a minimum.

For resetting the switch after the occurrence of an automatic trip, the operating member 38 is moved downwardly to release the detent 25 and permit the arm 20 and latch mechanism associated therewith to drop into the position shown in Fig. 3, as already explained. As the arm 20 drops to its free or released position of Fig. 3, the toggle arms 14. and 4:6 automatically straighten and set themselves for the resetting operation, as already explained in connection with the manual trippingand resetting of the switch. lVith the parts in this position, the switch is reset after an automatic trip in the same manner as already explained after a manual tripping of the switch. The toggle latch lever 52'has an arm which, upon clockwise swinging of the arm, cooperates with the sleeve or collar 1801f arm 20 and prevents swinging of the latch arm past its position for properlatching engagement of shoulder 55 with lug 50.

The automatic tripping and opening of the switch may be permitted, as previously indicated, without interfering with the manual holding and resettingmechanism so that the number and inertia of the moving parts upon the occurrence of an automatic trip is reduced to a minimun'r The toggle linkage is particularly adapted for holding the switch closed. When extended, as shown in Fig. 1, it offers a very substantial resistance to its collapse and thereby a very substantial resistance and effective lock against opening of the switch. The toggle mechae nism is easily and quickly broken, and it permits a relatively high velocity. of opening. movement with relatively light moving parts. The toggle mechanism provides a great closing leverage and the closing mo tion imparted thercthru is very powerful.

The automatic tri 3 sim )l o aerates to release the toggle and permit it to break, while they manual operating mechanlsm breaks the toggle and removes one point of support,

thereof, and at the end of the downward;

motion the manual operating parts, the

toggle automatically .straightens, and sets.

itself to hold theparts positively inopen position and for the resetting operation. Upon automatic tripping the toggle is broken as shown in dotted lines in Fig 1 and the downward movement of member 38 straightens the toggle into its resetting posi-' tion.

member is set to hold theshaft inone posi-.

tion, latch means for holding said toggle in holding position, automatic means for, tripping out said latch to release the toggle and shaft and manually operable means for,

tripping said detent and latch to release'the rocking member and the toggle.

2. In combination, a rock shaft, a rocking member on said shaft, a detent for holding said, rocking member. set, a toggle connected between said rocking member and the shaft and adapted when the rocking member is set to hold the shaft in one position, latch. means. for holding said toggle in holding position, automatic means for tripping out said latch to release the toggle and shaft and manually operable means for. tripping said detent and latch to release the rocking member and the togg le,,said: manually operable means being operable to reset the switchthrough said toggle means.- 3. In combination, a rock shaft, a rocking arm free on said shaft, a toggle connected between said arm and the shaft and having an extended position for holding the shaft in one position, a latch arm pivoted on said free arm and adapted for holding thetoggle extended, a detent for holding the free arm in one position and an operating member adapted for releasing said detent and the latch arm through said detent..

4. In combination, a rock shaft, a rocking arm free on said shaft, a toggle connected between said arm and the shaft and. having an extended position for holding the shaft in one position,-a latch arm pivoted on said free arm and adapted for holding the, toggle extended, a detent for holding the free arm I do not intend to be limited to the details in one position, manual means for releasing said detent and the latch arm through said detent and automatic means for releasing the latch arm independently of said detent and free arm.

5. In combination, an operating shaft, means tending to rock the shaft in one direction, a rocking arm free on said shaft, toggle means connected between said arm and the shaft for holding the shaft against action by said rocking means, latch means for holding the toggle in shaft holding position, automatic means for knocking off said latch means and manual means for knocking off said latch means and tripping said arm, said manual means being operable to reset the shaft through said arm and toggle.

6. In combination, an operating shaft, means tending to rock the shaft in one direction, toggle means for holding the shaft against action by said rocking means comprising links pivoted together and tending to collapse under their own weight and under the action of said shaft rocking means, a latch for holding the toggle extended, electromagnetic means for tripping said latch and manual means for tripping the latch and resetting it and the toggle holding means.

7 In combination, an operating shaft, means tending to rock the shaft in one direction, a rocking arm free on the shaft, toggle means comprising links pivoted together and connected between said free arm and the shaft and tending to collapse under their own weight and under the action of said shaft rocking means, a latch for holding the toggle extended, a detent for holding the free arm set, said latch having an arm underlying said detent and an operating member having means normally overlying said detent and operable to release the detent and latch.

8. In combination, an operating shaft, means tending to rock the shaft in one direc tion, a rocking arm free on said shaft, a holding toggle between said arm and the shaft, a detent for holding said arm set, a latch for holding the toggle in holding position, automatic means for tripping said latch and manual means for tripping the latch and detent.

9. In combination, an operating shaft, means tending to rock said shaft, a rocking arm free on the shaft, a holding toggle between said arm and an arm secured to the shaft, a latch pivoted on the free arm and adapted for holding the toggle in shaft holding position, and a detent pivoted on the free arm and overlying said latch for holding the free arm set.

10. In combination, an operating shaft, means tending to rock the shaft, a rocking arm free on the shaft, an arm secured to the shaft, a holding toggle between said rocking arm and the arm secured to the shaft, a detent pivoted on the free arm and adapted for holding said arm set, a pin, a vertically movable operating member having an operating stud overlying said detent and a latch pivoted on the free arm on said pin, said pin extending through a slot in the operating member and adapted for holding the toggle in shaft holding position.

11. In combination, a rocking shaft, means tending to rock said shaft, an arm free on said shaft, a toggle pivoted to said arm and connected between it and the shaft for holding the shaft against the action of said rocking means, and a detent pivoted to said arm and adapted for holding the arm set, said arm having means overlying the toggle and said detent for limiting their movement in a direction opposite that of their releasing movement.

12. In combination, an operating shaft, means tending to rock the shaft, a rocking arm free on the shaft, an arm secured to the shaft, a holding toggle between said rocking arm and the arm secured to the shaft, and a detent pivoted on the free arm and adapted for holding said arm set.

13. In combination, an operating shaft, means tending to rock the shaft in one direction, a rocking arm loose on the shaft and held against movement about said shaft, holding means connecting the arm and the shaft and normally holding the shaft against turning in one direction, a latch pivoted on the arm and holding said holding means in operative position, and an electromagnetically operated lever disposed to knock out the latch and release said holding means when said lever is operated.

14. In combination, a rocking shaft, a rocking arm free on said shaft, a detent pivoted on said arm, a latch arm, means interposed between said free arm and said detent for normally holding said detent in engagement with said latch arm for holding said free arm in set position, and connections between the shaft and the arm acting to hold the shaft against rotation when said arm is in set position and releasing the shaft for turning movement when the arm is released.

15. In combination, a casing, an operating shaft, means outside of said casing tending to rock the shaft, a rocking arm free on said shaft, a holding toggle connected to the shaft and the arm for holding said shaft set, a detent for holding said arm set, a latch for holding the toggle in I holding position, and manually operative means extending through said casing for tripping the latch and detent.

16. In combination, a casing, a rocking shaft, means tending to rock said shaft, means for holding said shaft against the action of said rocking means, latch means position, said latch means having a pair of arms, electromagnetic means Within said casing adapted to cooperate With one arm of said latch, and'manually operative means extending through said casing adapted to cooperate with the other arm of said latch for releasing said holding means.

17. In combination, a rockably mounted operating shaft urged in switch opening direction, an arm free on the shaft, an arm fixed on the shaft, a holding toggle connecting said arm's, means holding the free arm set, means holdingthe toggleextended, manually operated means for releasing the free arm and the toggle and for resetting said toggle and fixed arm, and automatic means for releasing the toggle.

18. In combination, a rockably mounted operating shaft urged in switch opening direction, a toggle lever connected at one end to the shaft, a normally fixed abutment holding the other end of the toggle lever against movement,1 means holding the ts'g-gre lever extended, said toggle lever whenegrtended holding the shaftin switch closing position manually operated means forreleasingthe toggle lever, and automatic means for releasing said toggle lever, 1 I

19. In combination, a rockably mounted operating shaft urged in switch opening direction, a toggle lever connected at on'e end to the shaft, a normally ,fixed; abutment holding the other end of the toggle lever against movement, releasable means normally holding the toggle lever extended said toggle lever when extended holding the shaft in switch closing position, manually operated means for releasingthe toggle lever, and automatic means for releasing said holding means and causing breaking of the toggle lever. V} I i In witness whereof, I hereunto subscribe my name this 26 day of April, 1924.

ALFRED" F. o." r-JOTZ. 

